Sonoma State University
Department of Computer Science
CS-370: Software Design and Development
Exercise 22: Software Ethics (part 1)

Objective:

To identify and list ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct violations in a fictitious software development scenario.

The scenario:

George Ames, a young software engineer worked for a hospital computer department. He was assigned to work with the people in the intensive care unit (ICU). The computer group was working on the interface between a piece of commercial data processing software and various units in the ICU, including real-time patient monitoring devices. From the manager down, the computer group was not technically up to the mark in experience or in education. They were falling significantly behind schedule. George learned that they were seriously considering cutting back on testing in order to close the schedule gap. Appalled at this idea, George argued strongly against it. In this case, his arguments had some effect, but he was nevertheless given the clear impression that his prospects with this organization were now significantly impaired. Apparently, part of the problem had to do with a reluctance on the part of higher management to clash with the physician who headed the computer group. George felt that the basic problem was incompetence and he did not see how he could be effective on his own in combating it.

Exercise:

Utilizing the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, identify as many code violations as possible in the scenario listed above. For each ACM code violation include the following:

  • The ACM Code of Ethics rule being violated. For example, if someone in the scenario above is found to be dishonest or untrustworthy, please write, "ACM code 1.3" is violated.
  • Explain why you believe the ACM code of ethics rule was violated in the scenario above (i.e. justify your answer).

Uploading your solution:

  • This is an individual exercise, not a team exercise.
  • Please upload your answer in either PDF (Acrobat), Word (doc/docx), or as a text file.

Grading rubric

CRITERIA RATINGS POINTS
Assignment guidelines Exemplary
4 points

At least ten violations from the ACM code violation include an explanation on how or why the given scenario violates that ACM code violation.
Proficient
2.8 points

At least seven violations from the ACM code violation include an explanation on how or why the given scenario violates that ACM code violation.
Needs Improvement
2.4 points

At least five violations from the ACM code violation include an explanation on how or why the given scenario violates that ACM code violation.
Below Expectation
0 points

No explanations are given for how or why the given scenario violates the ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.
4.0
Ethics Violations Exemplary
6 points

At least ten violations of the ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice are identified.
Proficient
4.2 points

At least seven violations of the ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice are identified.
Needs Improvement
3.6 points

At least three violations of the ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice are identified.
Below Expectation
0 points

No ethics violations are listed from the ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.
6.0
Total points: 10.0